09 July 2007
SCHOOL'S OUT FOREVER?
It was a regular part of the "new season" trails, that first look at the upcoming term in Grange Hill. I've vague memories of one with the kids mucking about on a bus, which revealed Gonch had grown up a helluva lot during the holidays. Why this reverie? Because it's something that didn't happen this year.
Lime Pictures' most recent run of Grange Hill never actually made it to BBC1, after a screening on the CBBC Channel back in January. That's the first in 30 years. Does it matter, though? I kind of think so. The show always felt like the heart of BBC1's children's programming, a dollop of grit and production prowess that off-set more frivilous fare. But, with the Corporation declaring programmes for younger viewers now really does mean younger viewers, I guess GH is outside that demographic.
Surprised there hasn't been a protest though - and I think the portents aren't great for more series once the current agreement between the BBC and Lime expires.
There is some better news, though.
Lime Pictures' most recent run of Grange Hill never actually made it to BBC1, after a screening on the CBBC Channel back in January. That's the first in 30 years. Does it matter, though? I kind of think so. The show always felt like the heart of BBC1's children's programming, a dollop of grit and production prowess that off-set more frivilous fare. But, with the Corporation declaring programmes for younger viewers now really does mean younger viewers, I guess GH is outside that demographic.
Surprised there hasn't been a protest though - and I think the portents aren't great for more series once the current agreement between the BBC and Lime expires.
There is some better news, though.
Comments:
<< Home
The BBC has been trying to kill off Grange Hill - or rather, Grange Hill as produced by Mersey Television - for the last few years, ever since it realised what a mess Phil Redmond was making of it. By ordering the show to concentrate on younger audiences, the Beeb gave itself a handy reason to shunt GH from 5.10pm to 4.35pm, and from there it was easy to kick it into the long grass of CBBC.
When Redmond sold Mersey TV, one of the conditions was that he stayed executive producer of Grange Hill. Sadly this meant the show became his personal plaything. Lime Pictures, as far as I make out, still don't have any say in the storylines or choice of characters.
I would guess most people don't even know, or care, that Grange Hill is still running. But that doesn't mean that when news breaks that it's being cancelled, there won't be the usual "questions in the House" furore.
Post a Comment
When Redmond sold Mersey TV, one of the conditions was that he stayed executive producer of Grange Hill. Sadly this meant the show became his personal plaything. Lime Pictures, as far as I make out, still don't have any say in the storylines or choice of characters.
I would guess most people don't even know, or care, that Grange Hill is still running. But that doesn't mean that when news breaks that it's being cancelled, there won't be the usual "questions in the House" furore.
<< Home